Celtic: £19k-a-week star may be frustrated by lack of minutes at Parkhead | OneFootball

Celtic star James Forrest could be frustrated about his lack of minutes under Ange Postecoglou this season, according to Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph.

The £19,000 per-week star only made his first start against Hibernian on Saturday and marked the occasion by scoring a hat-trick, but the Hoops favourite has spent the majority of the campaign on the bench.

What's the latest news involving Forrest?

The Scotland international has been a key player for Celtic over the last decade, but injuries and a lack of form have overshadowed his last couple of years.

As a result, Forrest has been unable to show Postecoglou what he's capable of and only managed four goals and five assists in 32 matches last season.

But with Liel Abada suffering an injury in the Champions League defeat against RB Leipzig, Forrest was handed a rare opportunity to impress against Hibs.

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It might have been the 31-year-old's first start since May, but he didn't perform like a man short of minutes, producing two fine finishes either side of a fortunate second strike to rack up 100 goals in Celtic colours.

What did Joseph say about Forrest?

Before the weekend, Forrest had played just 157 minutes across Celtic's first 14 games, and when asked whether he'll be frustrated about his lack of game-time or would he have expected it, Joseph told GIVEMESPORT prior to the Hibs match: "I think a bit of both. I think it is expected that he's not playing at the moment, he was hampered by injuries in that Covid season, and just hasn't got back to that flying form that we're so used to seeing.

"Remember the two seasons prior to that Covid year, in each of those seasons, he contributed to 38 goals.

"He either scored or assisted 38 goals in both of the seasons, which just shows you how important a player he was for Celtic."

How important of a player is Forrest for Celtic?

Despite producing little of note during Postecoglou's time in the Parkhead dugout, Forrest is still a key figure for the Hoops and will be hoping this is the turning point in his season.

Not only is the Scot one of the club's most important players, but this is someone with 200 goal contributions and 20 major trophies to their name.

Therefore, although others have outshone him in recent history, he remains an important squad player and has shown time and time again that he's capable of coming in and performing well.

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